Workshop on Iraqi Economic Zones Strategy

Paris, 25-26 November 2010

An ambitious action plan to develop investment zones (IZ) in Iraq was approved at a MENA-OECD workshop on November 25-26 2010. The workshop was attended by the Chairman of the Iraqi National Investment Commission and five of his key staff, as well as several international experts. Topics discussed included:

The action plan approved by participants favors investment zones focused on the domestic market and on attracting companies through the provision of one-stop-shop licensing services, security and infrastructure, as opposed to free zones offering reduced customs duties and tax breaks. The plan includes:

An evaluation of existing economic and industrial zones to determine their role in an Investment Zones strategy